"We want to extend the hand of friendship," Maduro said after arriving in Bogota.

"We are willing to work on advancing, moving toward the future."

Hugo Chavez, the Venezuelan president, cut ties with Colombiaon July 22 after the government of Alvaro Uribe, Santos' predecessor, released evidence that it said showed Venezuela gives haven to Colombian rebels.

High unemployment

On the domestic front, Santos will have to deal with an unemployment rate of 12 per cent and 46 per cent poverty.

He has vowed to create 2.5 million new jobs during his four-year term in office.

He has also pledged to continue Uribe's crackdown on Farc and maintain hispro-business approach, which has seen foreign investment grow five-fold since 2002 as Colombia's conflict waned.

Uribe leaves office with an 80 per cent approval rating.

But his second term was marred by scandals over abuses by troops, illegal wiretapping of his critics, and probes into legislative allies over collaboration with paramilitary gangs.